Category Archives: Today I’m trying

Let’s talk about last night… at Las Iguanas

Posted in baby, Restaurants, Shopping, Today I'm trying by
Las Iguanas

New menu launch: At Las Iguanas

Las Iguanas, on the Boardwalk, intu Lakeside, has just launched its new winter menu

There’s 12 delicious new dishes alongside classic favourites like fajitas (which I can personally vouch are a little bit of heaven on a plate), enchiladas, and its award-winning burgers. And with 14 new cocktails on the drinks menu to try, it would be a pity not to make a little stop off there for a post-shop natter.

Which is exactly what me and one of my BFFs did last night – making the most of the two-for-one cocktails (all day, every day, FYI.)

But what’s the new menu all about? Continue reading →

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You, before you had your baby… remember her?

Posted in Katy Pearson, motherhood, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
Katy Pearson, Pole Dancing, #whatkatydidUK, Essex

Not just a mama: At my first pole dancing class

Often when you have a child, a big chunk of your identity gets lost.

Overnight you become the most important person in the world to someone else.

You’re their food source, their comfort, their safety…. You’re their mum. And everything else in the world is secondary to that.

As they get a bit bigger they obviously don’t need you quite as much – their neck can hold the weight of their own head for a start.

But still, being a mummy can be the thing that defines you.

After waiting for nine years for my boy, and undergoing fertility treatments galore, I can hand on heart say that being Sonny Jim’s mummy is the best title I’ve ever had. I’m a work-from-home mama for the sole reason that I want to grab every minute that I possibly can with my little lad while he’s growing up. I never actually realised I’d love “mummying” as much as I do. Continue reading →

Let’s talk about last night… at the Oakleigh

Posted in Restaurants, Sponsored, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
porn star martini, Katy Pearson, the Oakleigh, #whatkatydidUK

Going down well: One of my porn star martinis

When your local bar has an extensive revamp, reopens with a new name, new look and promises “epic food, creative cocktails and great times” then it was only a matter of time before I’d be checking it out.

The Oakleigh, in London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, launched a couple of week ago and is offering a new restaurant, cocktail bar and evening bar.

It’s on the site of the former popular Bellini Bar and Brasserie, which closed a few months back – and is run by the same folk, namely the McManus Pub Company.

I’ve had a fair few girly nights at Bellini (pre-baby, its oh-so-moreish jam donut cocktail gave me possibly one of the worst hangovers I’ve ever had!) so when I was invited along for dinner and drinks at the Oakleigh, there was no way I would be saying no.

The husband and I headed up there last night, after our tot was tucked up in bed and the babysitter safely installed in front of Love Island. Continue reading →

Let’s talk about… Pink Vanilla Events’ Tipsy Tea Party

Posted in Events, Mummy life, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
Katy Pearson, #whatkatyydidUK

Child-free… and enjoying the fizz

It’s not often I get a whole toddler-free Saturday afternoon.

So when I do, I really, really want them to be fun. Which is why I was delighted to be invited along to Pink Vanilla Events’ first ever tipsy tea party.

Held at the Rayleigh Club, the afternoon is the brainchild of creative director, Amy Langmead.

And, Oh My God, was it a fun few hours.

When we arrived at 2pm we were greeted by a couple of butlers in the buff (*blushes*) and handed a glass (the first of many) of prosecco. (NB if you’re given a glass of prosecco with a puff of blue candyfloss on the top, eat it, don’t push it into your glass. It’ll turn your fizz blue and you’ll end up looking like you’ve got a flute of WKD blue in your hand. Classy.) Continue reading →

Let’s talk about last night… at Seven Hotel’s launch party

Posted in Features, Restaurants, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
Seven Hotel, Katy Pearson

Even the loos are lux: Ladies’ room selfie at Southend’s new Seven Hotel

Southend’s brand new boutique hotel opened its doors officially today, but I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch party last night.

The luxurious seafront Seven Hotel, in Clifton Terrace, offers 37 super lux bedrooms, a 70-person restaurant and a gin-centric cocktail bar, following a £4million project.

Last night I was among Seven’s first guests and enjoyed a decadent evening of sumptuous cocktails, in partnership with Tattinger Champagne and Copper Head Gin, as well as canapes from the new restaurant, Aurum.

The nibbles, prepared by head chef, Simon Webb, who has previously worked with the likes of the legendary Roux family, included monkfish cheek in black brioche buns, opulent oysters as well as carrot and orange ice cream (not a combo I’ve ever heard of before either!)

For one night, the tables in Seven’s plush restaurant were pushed aside to allow us to dance to tunes being played by DJ Shmia. Continue reading →

Review: Motorola MBP855 Connect video baby monitor

Posted in baby, Mummy life, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
MBP855 Connect , Katy Pearson, Sonny Jim, #whatkatydidUK

While Sonny Jim slept – the MBP855 Connect watched

When Sonny Jim was first born we didn’t have a monitor.

He slept in the crib in our room when we were in bed – and when we were up he slept where we were, in a sling or the pram or a rocker.

When he started waking up less though and moved into his own room I suddenly realised just how badly we needed a good monitor.

We went for the Angelcare video, movement and sound monitor because a few of my mummy friends had it – and they really rated it.

And it’s been great. The sensor pad has kept this worried mama reassured past Sonny Jim’s first birthday. And the range meant I could be in the garden and still see and hear my boy.

However. It’s not very portable. So when I was offered the chance to try out the MBP855 Connect video baby monitor by Motorola, I was more than happy to. Continue reading →

Why church playgroups are a real godsend

Posted in baby, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
Sonny Jim, playgroup, Katy Pearson, #whatkatydid

Play time: Sonny Jim in the garden at Bright Starts

Despite my mum, and my new sister-in-law both being priests, I haven’t actually spent that much time hanging around churches in recent years.

Yes, my little lad was Christened last year, but much to my poor reverend ma’s chagrin, we’re not exactly what you could call church regulars.

However, over the past couple of months there has been something of a change afoot.

The reason? Church playgroups.

Honestly, I can’t praise (sorry, couldn’t resist) them (yes, we go to more than one!) enough.

Entertaining little ones, especially once they start crawling and toddling about, can be expensive. Lots of mummy and baby classes require you to sign up and pay for a term in one hit. Of course, as soon as you do, your baby then decides the hour in which the class is held is now their new nap time. Continue reading →